New Zealand rugby fans offer to host British and Irish free of charge

New Zealanders are opening their homes to British & Irish Lions fans who have been priced out of affordable accommodation during the upcoming tour.

About 20,000 Lions fans are expected to fly to New Zealand in June and July, and many independent travellers are struggling to find affordable accommodation for their trip.

The majority of hotel rooms are sold out in the major cities during the games, and Airbnb accommodation is going for as much as NZ$1,200 a night in the capital, Wellington.

Moved by their plight, rugby fan Adam Gilshnan set up a Facebook page, Adopt a Lions Fan 2017, asking locals to open their homes, gardens and caravans to rugby fans and spoil them with traditional Kiwi hospitality – for free.